Degenkolb sprints to Spanish stage win

11 September 2014 02:30 PM

GERMANY'S John Degenkolb claimed his fourth stage victory of the Tour of Spain when he sprinted to victory in yesterdya's 17th stage as local favourite Alberto Contador retained the overall leader's red jersey.

Ireland's Dan Martin came in in 39th place and stays sixth in general classification, while Philip Deignan was 142nd and is now in 45th overall.

Giant-Shimano rider Degenkolb pipped Australia's Michael Matthews of Orica GreenEdge to the line after the 190.7km trek from Ortigueira to the Galician city of A Coruna on the north-west coast.

Trek Factory Racing's Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland was third, with Tinkoff-Saxo's Contador crossing the line with the pack to maintain his lead of one minute and 36 seconds over second-placed compatriot Alejandro Valverde of Movistar.

Contador, a double Tour de France champion, is closing on a third Tour of Spain crown after he won last Monday's 16th stage and his closest domestic rivals, Valverde and Katusha's Joaquim Rodriguez, cracked on the final climb.

"The feelings have been pretty good and, well, it's one day fewer," said Contador. "Tomorrow's stage is completely different and we have to get the motor running at top speed again," added the 31-year-old.

"Let's hope the legs are working well and we can keep an eye on those at the front and make sure the day goes smoothly.

"I think they (the remaining four stages) are all important, maybe the one tomorrow will be a bit different but all the days are important now."